One Death, 20 Overdoses at Mad Decent Block Party

During an outdoor music festival organized by record label Mad Decent in Columbia, Maryland on Friday, one fan died of an apparent drug overdose, and an additional 20 were transported to an area hospital.

Tyler Fox Viscardi, 20, of Raleigh, North Carolina, died after being rushed to the hospital at 9 p.m. EDT after overdosing at the all-day Mad Decent Block Party, the Howard County Police Department said in a statement.

The concert took place at the Merriweather Post Pavillion, roughly 20 miles southwest of Baltimore, and featured pop and dance artists including
Cashmere Cat, Flux Pavilion, Diplo, Sleigh Bells, Wave Racer and Wolfgang Gartner.

Authorities have not yet determined which drugs were in Viscardi’s system at the time of his death, and another 17-year-old from Virginia is presently in critical condition, after suffering another suspected overdose at the concert. Nineteen other concertgoers were hospitalized with suspected drug-related problems.

Police also issued roughly 50 under-age drinking citations during the festival and made three arrests, including one for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Mad Decent issued a statement on the incident – “We were shocked and saddened when we heard the news from yesterday’s event at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this right now. We are waiting along with everyone else for more information.”

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by yesterday’s event. We are saddened by the news.

The next Mad Decent Block Party is scheduled for Friday, August 8 in Philadelphia.

In related Mad Decent news, pop superstar Katy Perry left some people scratching their heads after she was spotted with rapper Riff Raff back in April, and then again with Mad Decent label head Diplo later that month.

Incidentally, video edits of Mr. Raff’s song “Tip Toe Wing In My Jawwdinz” from his new record Neon Icon have become an internet meme: